Body waist exerciser

ABSTRACT

In a preferred embodiment, particularly for use by golfers for training body muscles to twist and bend as muscles normally do in a conventional golf swing, or for the general public in bodybuilding, there is provided an elongated exerciser shaft of about 40 inches in length and 1 or 2 inches in cross-sectional diameter, the shaft having a mid-section of yoke shape-defined arc of 180* of a size about snugly fittable around the neck of a person at shoulder height, with the yoke mid-section arcing from alignment between proximal ends of about diametrically oppositely extending elongated shafts, the arced mid-section being such that the oppositely extending shafts are positioned substantially forwardly of the body of the shoulders respectively when the yoke mid-section is mounted around the back of a person&#39;&#39;s neck, thereby avoiding unnatural tensions on the shoulders during a draping of respective fore-arms forwardly over the respective shafts distal portions thereby making possible a natural upright posture while moving the upper torso to and fro while maintaining from the waist downwardly substantially stationary in order to reduce flabbiness around the waist, the cross-section of the respective elongated shafts being substantially rounded and the shafts each gradually tapering in distally outwardly directions.

United States Patent Kane 1 1 BODY WAIST EXERCISER [76] Inventor: JohnF. Kane, 1793 Riverside Dr.,

New York, NY. 10034 22 Filed: June 8,1973 21 Appl. No.: 368,270

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.244,620, April 17,

1972, abandoned,

[52] U.S. Cl. 272/57 R, 35/29 A, 273/35 R, 273/189 R [51] Int. Cl. .1A63b 23/02, A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search 272/54, 56, 57 R, 67, 79 R,272/80, 81, 82, 83 R, 84; 119/96; 224/5 P; 35/29 A; 273/35 R, 188 R, 189R OTHER PUBLICATIONS To the Ladies, Strength and Health, July, 1973, pp.5657.

[ 1 June 28, 1974 Primary E.ramiiwrRichard C. Pinkham AssistantEranzinerR. T. Stouffer 5 7 1 ABSTRACT In a preferred embodiment,particularly for use by golfers for training body muscles to twist andbend as muscles normally do in a conventional golf swing, or for thegeneral public in body-building, there is provided an elongatedexerciser shaft of about 40 inches in length and l or 2 inches incross-sectional diameter, the shaft having a mid-section of yokeshape-defined arc of 180 of a size about snugly fittable around the neckof a person at shoulder height, with the yoke mid-section arcing fromalignment between proximal ends of about diametrically oppositelyextending elongated shafts, the arced mid-section being such that theoppositely extending shafts are positioned substantially forwardly ofthe body of the shoulders respectively when the yoke mid-section ismounted around the back of a persons neck, thereby avoiding'unnaturaltensions on the shoulders during a draping of respective fore-armsforwardly over the respective shafts distal portions thereby makingpossible a natural upright posture while moving the upper torso to andfro while maintaining from the waist downwardly substantially stationaryin order to reduce flabbiness around the waist, the cross-section of therespective elongated shaftsbeing substantially rounded and the shaftseach gradually tapering in distally outwardly directions.

ll Clairns, 11 Drawing Figures mmwmw mm' FIG. 9

PATENTEDJUM28 m4 1 a azo 781 I saw 3 -ur 3 v BODY WAIST EXERCISER Thisinvention relates to an exerciser bar for golf-' swing training and forwaist-line slimming while avoiding tendencies to stretch or strain bodyparts, a CH of Ser. No. 244,620 filed Apr. 17, 1972.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Prior exerciser(s) requiring the arms toextend backwardly and over a completely straight shaft across theshoulders behind the neck causes the opposite shoulders to be strainedbackwardly in an unnatural awkward position both difficult and hazardousof causing strained muscles, tendons, etc., as typically illustrated inthe prior art Figure; note that it is not sufficient that the bar becurved merely to comfortably fit the neck in an arced concave manner,not only such bars not existing prior to the present invention butadditionally such minor concave are not being sufficient to obtain theobjects of the present invention for example the'conventionally knownyokes for carrying weights or loads not being faced with the requirementof the exercise to which the present invention is directed, namely theraising and maintaining of the upper arm of each arm with the shouldersnaturally erect in order to cause the side and stomach muscles to becomemore taut by virtue of the forearms being draped forwardly over theoppositely extending ends of the exerciser, as well as the fact thatwith load-carrying yokes the purpose being to maintain theshaft-sections over and/or on top of the respective shoulders such thatthe shoulders themselves may contribute to the lifting power inholding-aloft the load(s) being carried on opposite ends of theconventional load-carrying yoke. For the prior exerciser over which thepresent invention is an improvement, because of the awkward position ofthe shoulders and neck during the exercises to which the presentinvention is directed, it is not possible for the exercising personsatisfactorily or effectively or at least not to a desired degree toexercise in the bending movements typically such as twisting the upperchest section from side to side in an erect position while standingwhereby the waist section of the exercising person is thoroughlyexercised as to various side and stomach and back-waist muscles. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present inventionis to overcome one or more of the difficulties of the type discussedabove.

Another object is an exerciser of a shaft type offering unrestrainednatural positions of the limbs of the body while in use.

Another object is a shaft type exerciser offering natural muscularcomfort and muscular extension during muscle and tissue-retractions andextensions of the waist, chest and back in side-to-side and/or twistingmotions while maintaining the shoulders in a fixed state one relative tothe other as in an erect posture.

Other objects become apparent from the preceding and followingdisclosure.

One or more objects of the present invention are obtained by theinvention defined herein.

The invention includes a substantially linearly extending shaft having ayoke section at about a midpoint with sufficient concavity of the yokeof at least about 100, preferably at least 125, typically about togetherwith a size such that the oppositely extending ends of the shaft oneeach extending from opposite yoke ends with shaft portions lyingsubstantially forwardly of the main body of the persons shoulders whenthe yoke section is draped around the back of his neck, the yoke shapeforming a concave recess extending away from linear alignment betweenopposite shaft portions which extend substantially diametricallyopposite to one-another. With the shafts main body over the forwardportions of the shoulders or in front of the shoulders, shoulders areheld naturally erect duringvrevolving-like twists of the upper torso ofchest and shoulders relative to a substantially stationary waist duringthe exercise in order to slim-out the waist during the exercise in orderto slimout the waist by firming-up the tissues and muscles, and duringside-to-side leanings to and fro of the upper torso while maintainingthe waist substantially stationary to similarly stretch and firm-up sidewaist and chest muscles, while in the natural position avoiding abnormalstretching or straining of tissues and/or muscles and/or tendons as isreadily possible when shoulders are pressed too far backwardly by use ofa purely straight bar of FIG. 1 or even a bar with merely a minor amountof concavity or yoke shape insufficient in arc and size for the arms tobe merely naturally supported with forearms comfortably draped forwardlyover the shaft ends as is possible in FIGS. 2 through 9. Thereby theinventive shaft fits substantially snugly arced around the back of thelower portion of the neck while the linearly extending portions of theshaft extending in opposite directions from the adjacent yoke sectionrest forwardly on opposite right and left shoulders of the exercisingperson thereby increasing the ease of the right and left arms to extendbackwardly upwardly over and forwardly of the opposite linearlyextending shaft ends. Note that it is not a matter of mere comfort inthe non-exercising position of placing the upper arms upwardly with theforearms draped forwardly, but is much more critical than that, the realtest being during the exercising whereby if the shoulders areunnaturally held too far rearwardly, such posture throws the entire bodyout of proper alignment and makes likely the stretching or tearing of atissue, tendon or muscle or the like when using a straight bar of theprior type. For older or younger persons and/or for persons of differentbuilds, the size and length of the novel exerciser may vary,particularly as to the desired weight. It is also desirable that theweight be sufficient in the opposite ends such that the exercisingmuscles have at least some predetermined mild amount of work during theexercising, and accordingly in preferred embodiments of the inventionthere are provided alternate embodiments of adding or taking-awayvarying degrees of weight by adding or taking away actual weightelements within or on the shaft, or by extending or shortening the shaftas the case may be. To facilitate ease of resting the arms as discussedabove during the exercise and thereby to naturally hold the shoulderserect on relative to the other and relative to the neck, back and chest,the oppositely extending shaft portions each extend distally whilegradually preferably tapering to a smaller cross-section of the shaft sothat the wrists and hands may more easily hang over the more distal endsof the shaft. Preferably both the outwardly extending shafts as well asthe yoke sections surface adjacent to the back of the persons neck isrounded for improved comfort and improved tit thereby facilitating theexercising since discomfort would interfere with natural posture and/orcause a tensing of muscles and accordingly impair beneficial effects ofthe exercising for reasons previously stated.

In order to render the exerciser more aptly portable as well as variableof weight, the oppositely extending shaft portions are preferablydetachably mounted on the yoke central section. Similarly to facilitatestorage, one or both end(s) of the shaft include an attaching means suchas preferably a ring or snap by which the entire exerciser may besuspended hanging vertically, as on a nail, peg, or the like.

The invention may be more fully understood by reference to the followingFigures.

THE FIGURES FIG. 1 illustrates typically the appearance in elevationplan view of a prior art exercising shaft, in use by an exercisingperson, with his opposite shoulders in a backwardly strained positionsubject to the hazards of the type discussed'above during the type ofexercises to which the present invention is directed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevation plan view comparable to that of FIG. 1,except utilizing the novel yokeexerciser of the present invention, inone embodiment thereof having the ring on an end thereof, it being notedthat theextensive concave yoke section conveys the respective oppositeshaft-end positions forwardly of the main shoulder positions makingpossible the easy raising of the arms to droop the forearms forwardlywithout strain nor stress on the shoulder, neck, back, chest, and sidemuscles, thereby in a safe natural position for effective exercising.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view taken along lines 2B--2B of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front elevation perspective view of an alternateembodiment of the yoke-exerciser of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates a variation in which the respective linear distalends are adjustably extendable for persons having greater or lesserstrength and/or having different body dimensions such as arm lengths,this Figure being an in-part view of a section of one distal end of theyoke-exerciser extending from the yoke mid section.

FIG. 5 illustrates in elevation plan exploded in-part view an alternateembodiment having male and female threaded members for adding additionalweight and/or length or alternately for lessening the weight and/orlength of a respective shaft end portion extending outwardly fromtheyoke section.

FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view as taken along lines 5A5A, ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevation plan exploded partial cut-away in-partview of an alternate reversely arranged male and female threaded matingsections, as compared to the FIG. 5 embodiment, this embodimentadditionally providing a hollowed shaft having a weight-bar therein ofpredetermined weight or mass.

FIG. 7 illustrates in elevation plan exploded partial cut-away in-partview an additional alternate embodiment with cylindrical weight membersmountable on a centrally mounted male threaded bar having a biasingspring therearound for urging weights outwardly toward the distal end ofthe shaft, with the female threaded terminal end matable with themale-threaded bar end.

FIG. 8 facilitates understanding of the side-to-side to and fro bendingexercises to which the present invention is in part directed, and FIG. 9illustrating a to-andfro twisting exercise, in both exercises the hipsand waist remaining substantially stationary and forwardly facing, bothview being elevation plan view, FIG. 9 being substantially from overheadwhile FIG. 8 is somewhat more from a forward perspective angle view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The necessary number of degrees ofarc of the concave yoke mid-section of the present novel exercising baris at least about with the respective opposite linearly-elongatedend-sections extending in substantially diametrically oppositedirections from and continuous with opposite ends of the arc of theconcave section, preferably the number of degrees being at least aboutHowever, the arc does not have to be circularly symetrical but is moreor less in the shape of a semicircle, typically a preferred embodimenthaving about of circumscribing of the neck in the order to properlybest-place the shafts forwardly of the major portions of the respectiveshoulders.

By reference to the prior art illustrated in FIG. 1, it can be seen thatwhen a completely linearly extending shaft-exerciser 4 is positionedbehind the neck 5 of the exercising person 6 with the arms 7a and 7bextending rearwardly with the forearms 8a and 8b extending upwardly andforwardly over the distal ends 4a and 4b of the bar, the backwardlyangled upper arms 7a and 7b bring about a V-shape 9 between the opposingleft shoulder blade 10a and right shoulder blade 10b, resulting instress and tension on the back, neck, shoulders, and chest muscles,which will if the exercises to which the present invention is directed,result in detrimental effects discussed previously, possibly evenhospitalization.

In contrast thereto, FIG. 2 illustrates a view comparable to that of theprior art FIG. 1, except with the yoke exerciser, in one embodimentthereof, of the present invention positioned comfortably around the backof the neck 5 when the linear portions 4a and 4b are resting on theshoulders of the exercising person with the shoulder blades 10a and 10bin about a normal position of a person standing upright with his armsextending laterally outwardly to the sides, and with the forearms 8a and8b extending over and forwardly of the opposite ends 4a" and 4b. TheFIG. 3 embodiment illustrated includes a ring 11 for the mountingthereof on a peg, nail or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a different embodiment devoid of the ring section butillustrating in perspective view a better view of a typical embodimentof the yokeexerciser of the present invention, the yoke-exerciser 4"having a yoke section 12 about at a mid-point between the opposite ends13a and 13b, with the defined concave section 14 recessing backwardlyfrom linear alignment between the ends 13a and 13b and the concavesurface 14 being rounded along its upright surface providing for greaternatural comfort of the exercising person necessary to avoid interferencewith the exercises themselves and necessary to prevent the abovenotedinjuries to the exercising person. The bar ends 15a and 15b aresubstantially of a rounded crosssection, particularly rounded at thebottom of the cross-section on the bottom side or underside 16a and 16bfor facilitating a fitting onto the shoulders, but may be slightlycurved to fit the contour of the shoulders as might be desired. Theopposite ends 150 and 1151) of the linearly oppositely extendingterminal portions of the yoke-exerciser beginning from a point adjacentthe yoke mid-section and extending toward the respective distal ends aretapered to a more narrow distal end such as narrowed distal ends 13a and13b which adjacent the ends thereof has again become somewhat rounded intransverse cross-section.

FIG. 4A illustrates a variation on any one or more of the embodiments ofthe present invention in which the opposite linearly extending endsinclude telescoping or otherwise adjustably extending or extendablesections for shortening or lengthening the distal ends of the bars oneach side of the yoke mid-section whereby the yokeexerciser may beadjusted to better accomodate differing desired weights and/or differingarm lengths of the particular person exercising.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5 and 5A, there is illustrated an embodimentfor inserting one or more weight and length-adding members or sections17b between the inner shaft extension 18a and the terminal section 17a,typically joinable by male members 20 including threads andfemale-threaded receptacles 19a, 1%, etc., and the cross-section of FIG.5A illustrating the curved or rounded nature of the yoke and also of theoutwardly extending shaft shown in phantom behind the base c of the yoke12c. The FIG. 6 differs principally in the reversal of the male andfemale sections as compared to the FIG. 5 embodiment, as well asillustrating a single extension having an inner cavity 21 with a weightbar 22, sealed by the male member 20 screwed into the opening thereof;there would be available either a plurality of different weights and/orend members 17 each having a different weight than others because ofdifferences in the particular weight-bar 22 contained in the space 21.

The FIG. 7 embodiment corresponds somewhat to a hybrid between theembodiment of FIG. 5 and that of FIG. 6, having a cavity 22 in the shaftportion of the exerciser 4e, the shaft portion 18" having within thespace 22' a mounted male bar 20"a running axially centrally of the spaceand having a spring 24 and a threaded male end 20" matable with thefemalethreaded receptacle 19" of terminal end section 17'', the weightof the end of the shafts being variable by varying the number ofcylindrical weights 21 having through-passages 23 therein, the spring 24preferably pushing the members 21' distally toward the end of the shaftfor achieving the maximum shaft-end momentum during the exercises notedabove. However, springs may alternately bias inwardly.

Corresponding numerals of different Figures identify correspondinglyidentical parts, for the varying embodiments.

In FIG. 8, directions 27a and 27b illustrate the relative motions of theopposite exerciser ends such as 26b of the exerciser 4, during themovement of the persons body-side 26b in direction 27a to position 26aand similarly the opposite side of the person to position 260' in thealternate movement 27b, with the position 26b varying thereby betweenpositions 26a and 26c.

In like manner, for the twisting exercise of FIG. 9, the

results in the bar ends moving in directions 29 and 29 typically betweenpositions 28 and 28 while the feet, legs, hips and waist remainsubstantially stationary.

Although the size of the yoke-exerciser of this inven- .tion may bevaried considerably in its length from end to end and in the curvatureof the yoke concave surface, and in the cross-section of the bar,typically there are adult size exercisers and separate childrens sizeexercisers and accordingly the dimensions for the childrens sizes wouldbe considerably less than those for the adult sizes. In a typicalembodiment however, for a child or a small person the exerciser mayrange only up to about 3 feet in length, for example whereas for a fullgrown adult the length of the yoke-exerciser may range up to 6 or 7feet. Typically, for an adult embodiment, the transverse cross-sectionat about a concave yoke mid-section and/or at linear shaft positionsadjacent the mid-section range from about one inch up to about 3 inches,for example, normally from about l 6 inch to about 2 inches andthereafter become tapered toward the opposite ends of the linear shaft.

Although the shaft of the present invention is illustrated in the linearform, it is within the scope of the invention for the yoke-exerciser tohave the ends extending from the mid-section with some minorcurvature(s) that might be desired to add further comfort to theexercising person or to reposition the forearms of the exercisingperson, to thereby further avoid any tendency to damage the body of theexerciser during exercising of the muscles.

Accordingly, it is also within the scope of the present invention toutilize other modifications and variations as might be apparent to aperson of ordinary skill in this art.

In such scope, for example, is the embodiment in which one or bothlinear ends are detachable from the yole mid-section, by male and femalethreaded members or their equivalents. Similarly the bar may be made ofany one or more of wood, metal, plastic, fiber glass, or the like, butpreferably is composed at least inpart of either fiber-glass or aplastic such as polypropyl- I claim:

I 1. An exerciser article comprising in combination: an elongatedshaft-member having opposite linearlyelongated end-sections each havinga distal terminal end, and a mid-section therebetween having a concaveyoke section defining an arc of at least about with the respectiveopposite linearly-elongated end-sections extending in substantiallydiametrically opposite directions from and continuous with opposite endsof the arc of said concave yoke section with the arc thereof beingrecessed from linear alignment with both of and between said oppositeends, each terminal end having a substantially rounded cross-sectionextending from opposite ends of the arc of the midsection, the directionof extension of the endsections and their location relative to the endsof the arc of the yoke section being such that the oppositelinearly-elongated end-sections lie substantially forwardly of alignmentof respective opposite shoulders of a person when the article isshouldered with the mid-sections arced concave yoke extending behind theneck of the person thereby avoiding strain on neck and shoulder muscleswhen the persons opposite forearms are draped forwardly over therespective distal terminal ends, whereby a persons shoulders aremaintained in substantially normal alignment while with the exerciserarticle shouldered the person twists or bends his body at his midsectionduring a shifting of chest and shoulders to and fro.

2. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said arc is at least about125, and is of a size such that the midsection about snuglyis fittablearound a human neck at about shoulder height, and in which said oppositelinearly-elongated end-sections each taper in opposite directionsgradually from the midsection to about ter minal ends of the respectiveend-sections.

3. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said are is at least aboutl25, and is of a size such that the midsection about snugly is fittablearound a human neck as a semi-circle at about shoulder height.

4. An exerciser article of claim 3, in which said termi nal end isdetachably mounted on a proximal portion of its end-section, theterminal end being a weight means of predetermined weight of greatermass relatively than other portions of the respective end-sectionwhereby during to and fro exercises with a persons upper torso fromabout the waist upwardly there is placed a predetermined amount ofstress on the working muscles.

5. An exerciser article of claim 4, in which said endsections terminalend includes a series of axially aligned consecutive segments each ofwhich is a weight means of said predetermined mass.

6. An exerciser article of claim 3, in which said endsection is hollowedand a portion thereof is removable to open the hollowed section toexterior space and when opened is receivable of weight means ofpredetermined weight.

7. An exerciser article of claim 6, including a spring mounted withinsaid hollowed section and positioned therein such that said weight meanswhen placed therein is spring-biased distally outwardly toward saidterminal end.

8. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said terminal ends are atleast about 30 inches apart and in which each terminal end has along asubstantial portion of its length a substantially rounded cross-section.

9. An exerciser article of claim 1, including a mounting means atat-least one of said terminal ends suspendable of said elongated memberin a stored state with the members longitudinal axis about upright.

10. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said member ranges fromabout one-half inch to about 3 inches in transverse cross-section.

11. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said terminal end isdetachably mounted on a proximal portion of its end-section.

1. An exerciser article comprising in combination: an elongatedshaft-member having opposite linearly-elongated end-sections each havinga distal terminal end, and a mid-section therebetween having a concaveyoke section defining an arc of at least about 100* with the respectiveopposite linearly-elongated end-sections extending in substantiallydiametrically opposite directions from and continuous with opposite endsof the arc of said concave yoke section with the arc thereof beingrecessed from linear alignment with both of and between said oppositeends, each terminal end having a substantially rounded cross-sectionextending from opposite ends of the arc of the midsection, the directionof extension of the end sections and their location relative to the endsof the arc of the yoke section being such that the oppositelinearly-elongated end-sections lie substantially forwardly of alignmentof respective opposite shoulders of a person when the article isshouldered with the mid-section''s arced concave yoke extending behindthe neck of the person thereby avoiding strain on neck and shouldermuscles when the person''s opposite forearms are draped forwardly overthe respective distal terminal ends, whereby a person''s shoulders aremaintained in substantially normal alignment while with the exerciserarticle shouldered the person twists or bends his body at his midsectionduring a shifting of chest and shoulders to and fro.
 2. An exerciserarticle of claim 1, in which said arc is at least about 125*, and is ofa size such that the mid-section about snugly is fittable around a humanneck at about shoulder height, and in which said oppositelinearly-elongated end-sections each taper in opposite directionsgradually from the midsection to about terminal ends of the respectiveend-sections.
 3. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said arc isat least about 125*, and is of a size such that the mid-section aboutsnugly is fittable around a human neck as a semi-circle at aboutshoulder height.
 4. An exerciser article of claim 3, in which saidterminal end is detachably mounted on a proximal portion of itsend-section, the terminal end being a weight means of predeterminedweight of greater mass relatively than other portions of the respectiveend-section whereby during to and fro exercises with a person''s uppertorso from about the waist upwardly there is placed a predeterminedamount of stress on the working muscles.
 5. An exerciser article ofclaim 4, iN which said end-section''s terminal end includes a series ofaxially aligned consecutive segments each of which is a weight means ofsaid predetermined mass.
 6. An exerciser article of claim 3, in whichsaid end-section is hollowed and a portion thereof is removable to openthe hollowed section to exterior space and when opened is receivable ofweight means of predetermined weight.
 7. An exerciser article of claim6, including a spring mounted within said hollowed section andpositioned therein such that said weight means when placed therein isspring-biased distally outwardly toward said terminal end.
 8. Anexerciser article of claim 1, in which said terminal ends are at leastabout 30 inches apart and in which each terminal end has along asubstantial portion of its length a substantially rounded cross-section.9. An exerciser article of claim 1, including a mounting means atat-least one of said terminal ends suspendable of said elongated memberin a stored state with the member''s longitudinal axis about upright.10. An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said member ranges fromabout one-half inch to about 3 inches in transverse cross-section. 11.An exerciser article of claim 1, in which said terminal end isdetachably mounted on a proximal portion of its end-section.